Why Midsize Companies Need Business Intelligence Solutions in this Uncertain Global Economy.

SAP Thought LeadershipBusiness Intelligence
WHY MIDSIZE COMPANIES NEED
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SOLUTIONS
in this uncertain global economyWithout a business intelligence information infrastructure in place, midsize companies are more likely to exceed budgets, miss deadlines, improve performance of one depart-ment at the expense of the overall business, and reward employees for actions that do not improve performance. Ultimately, without BI, the current economic downturn poses greater risk to their business operations.CONTENT

^ 4 Executive Summary
^ 5 The Hazards of Working Without BI
^ 6 How BI Can Benefit Midsize Companies 8 Broad Tools and Functionality 8 What to look for in a BI Solution 8 Flexible and Robust Functiionality 8 Simplicity is the Key 8 Transparent Access to Data and Business Applications 9 Secure Operations 9 Low TCO

EXECUTIVE Summary
In today's economy, executives face These are all admirable goals. However, Without a BI information infrastructure declining revenues and tough cost- most midsize companies don't have the in place, midsize companies are more cutting decisions. However, cost information infrastructure in place to likely to exceed budgets, miss dead-reductions alone are not enough to meet such requirements. Without a lines, improve performance of one survive in this market, especially for vital information infrastructure that is department at the expense of the midsize companies, which typically informed by business intelligence (BI), overall business, and reward employ-lack the expansive resources needed midsize organizations are in a precari- ees for actions that do not improve to sustain a market downturn, yet have ous spot. Consider: performance. Ultimately, without BI, the ability to be much more agile with . Lacking insight to operational ineffi- the current economic downturn poses the right information. Midsize organiza- ciencies, they take longer to identify greater risk to their business operations.tions require clear visibility into opera- and address issues that affect tions and processes, so they can performance This paper examines how midsize com-quickly capitalize on what works well, . Lacking visibility across the enter- panies can tap into the strength of BI rapidly identify and address the issues prise, they have difficulty coordinating to reinforce what works in their organi-that degrade performance and efficien- activities across departments, zations, and position them to move cy, and optimize their use of resources. divisions, partners, and customers forward even as the economy falters.In addition, companies must base deci- . Lacking depth of analysis, they sions on fact rather than guesswork. miss seeing abnormal variances Finally, they need to ensure greater and understanding root causes that alignment and accountability across all have material impact on earningsemployees, so business performance . They tend to perform worse than is maximized within the allocated plans their peers in making the most of and budgets. their resources
"Business intelligence has helped us create better controls and enabled managers to run their part of the opera-tions more effectively and efficiently."FreshDirect
4 SAP Thought Leadership - Why Midsize Companies Need Business Intelligence SolutionsTHE HAZARDS OF WORKING WITHOUT BI
BI is especially important for midsize companies, who typically do not have the vast resources of an industry giant but often have the agility to implement significant business decisions quickly. BI helps to ensure that those quick decisions are correct. Since fact-based decisions are likely to enrich a company's bottom-line, a midsize organization using BI to illuminate decision-making can gain significant competitive advantage - during good times, as well as during challenging economic times.
"As companies brace themselves for a aligned with each other, as well as information infrastructure, often, recession, investing in business intelli- w... [download for more]